Towel and Blanket Anchoring Device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a towel and blanket anchoring device. The device includes an ornamental top portion with a clip disposed along its lower surface, and an elongated, vertical stake having a pointed lower tip. The pointed lower tip enables a user to easily secure the device to the ground, while the clip easily secures any towel, blanket, or a ground covering thereto. In one embodiment, the stake may be detached so that the device may be used without the stake. The present invention may be composed of rigid material that provides durability for repeated use over time. The present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing accessory for beach goers and the like while providing a securing device to prevent a towel or blanket from blowing away or bunching while in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/822,979 filed on May 14, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a towel and blanket anchoring device. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved anchoring device for any type of beach towel or blanket, wherein the anchoring device comprises a stake and a top portion having a clip. The top portion may comprise various shapes and designs, depending upon the embodiment.

Although beachgoers often use towels to dry themselves off after being in the water, the chief purpose of a towel or blanket is to provide a surface on which the user can lie. Beach towels, however, do not stay in place during high winds that are common at the beach. Additionally, beach towels tend to shift and bunch up during use, thereby subjecting the user to uncomfortable direct exposure to the underlying sand or the ground. This experience can be frustrating and inconvenient as the sand can get stuck onto the user and the user's belongings.

The present invention discloses an anchoring device that is designed to hold beach towels and blankets in place on a chair or on sand or other soft, penetrable surfaces. The present invention adds a decorative appeal to an otherwise basic clip or combination stake and clip device that is adapted to removably attach to the periphery of the towel or the blanket. The purpose of the present invention is to provide means whereby the user of the towel or the blanket may position the anchoring device bearing any desired shape and design. The present invention is ideal for use with any type of existing towels and blankets for providing an outdoor ground covering.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that claim blanket stakes, and further to devices emphasizing securing a beach blanket or a towel to the ground. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices, however, do not disclose a combination ornament and imbedded anchoring function that provides an ornamental structure with inherent utility. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. For example, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2002/0007513 to Wilson comprises a blanket clip having a stake portion and a clip portion. The clip is affixed to the top of the stake and is generally in a closed configuration until the user depresses the end of the clip to maneuver it open. While the device of Wilson discloses a clip that is affixed to the top of the stake, the Wilson device is limited in the fact that it utilizes a spring biased clip which requires a user to open in order to insert a towel therein. In contrast, the present invention comprises a visor clip having an open configuration in which a user can slide a towel or a blanket therethrough. In this way, the present invention provides convenience for users having limited mobility or strength to maneuver the clip into an open position.

Similarly, U.S. Design Pat. No. D382469 to Adams discloses a stake with a clip disposed along the top of the stake. The clip comprises two gingerbread man shaped pieces that are attached via a spring. Each of the pieces comprise an aperture to accept the stake therethrough. While the device of Adams discloses a combination stake and clip device, the placement of the clip is not advantageous in the fact that the clip would tend to fall down without requiring additional securement means. In contrast, the clip of the present invention is securely mounted to the ornamental plate so as to prevent it from being dragged in a downward direction.

Another device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,613 to Clouston discloses a ground cover anchor that includes a stake and a clamp attached thereto. The stake comprises a first and a second end, wherein the first end includes a cone or a pointed tip that is adapted to insert into the ground. The second end of the stake comprises a threaded element and clamp attached thereon. The claim comprises a pair of arms, wherein each of the arms includes a ridged surface for securely gripping a towel or a blanket. The arms are brought closer together or moved further apart via a clamp screw that secures the arms in various locations along the length of the stake. While the device of Clouston provides a ground cover anchor for securing a towel or a blanket in sand or other types of ground, the clamp of the Clouston device does not disclose an ornamental feature thereon.

Yet another device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,813 to Wilburn discloses an anchoring system for a beach blanket comprising a plurality of stakes having tether fasteners thereon. The stakes are attached to an associated beach blanket having a set of apertures disposed around its outer perimeter via tether fasteners. More specifically, the tether fasteners are looped through the apertures so that the stakes are not separated from the blanket during use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,527 to Hyduk discloses a kit for various beach products, including a blanket and a plurality of anchors. Each of the corners of the blanket comprises slits or apertures adapted to receive a loop therein. The loop is attached to an anchor that is inserted into the ground. In this way, the corners of the blankets are kept secured to the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,525 to Ippolito discloses a combination stake anchored down beach and lawn blanket. The Ippolito device comprises a conventional stake having a pointed rod and a rounded head that is adapted to insert through an eyelet disposed on a blanket. The perimeter of the rounded head extends past the eyelets so that the stake is prevented from falling through the eyelet.

The foregoing Wilburn, Hyduk, and Ippolito devices are directed toward an anchoring system having a plurality of stakes and an associated towel with apertures disposed around its perimeter. Accordingly, the stakes or anchors disclosed in Wilburn, Hyduk, and Ippolito cannot be used with existing beach towels having no apertures thereon. In contract, the present invention comprises a clip that is adapted to removably attach to the outer perimeter of any beach towel or blanket. The clip enables a user to easily secure and remove a blanket, improving the securement process.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D492976 to Hsu discloses a ground inserted pole support having a first and second end, wherein the first end comprises a pointed tip and the second end comprises a round plate. The pole has a roughly diamond cross section so that the pole is slotted along its length. The device of Hsu, however, lacks any clipping means to secure a beach towel or a blanket onto the device. Therefore, the device of Hsu is inoperable to effectively deal with the problem that the present invention solves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,354 to Feigenbaum discloses a blanket anchor having a stake with an integrally constructed top portion and a clip disposed on the top portion of the stake. The clip may be an alligator clip or gripper jaw having a plurality of teeth. The stake may further comprise a hollow interior so that it may be used as a container for commonly used beach products. The device of Feigenbaum, however, does not disclose an ornamental element on the top portion of the stake. In contrast, the present invention may comprise a top portion having various shapes and designs thereon. Additionally, the present invention comprises a visor clip that increases the ease of use.

While the foregoing devices may fulfill a role and meet their respective requirements of securing a towel or a blanket to the ground, there exists a need for a new towel and blanket anchoring device that incorporates both an aesthetic quality and a clip for attaching the towel and blanket thereto. The devices in the art lack either the aesthetic quality, or provide attachment means that are difficult or inconvenient to use. It is therefore submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art devices, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing claim blanket stakes or holding devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of blanket stake devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new improvement to a towel and blanket anchoring device wherein the same can be utilized for securing a towel or a blanket onto the ground in an open position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device having an ornamental top portion that is integrally formed with a stake portion.

Another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device having an ornamental top portion that is removably attached to a stake portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device having a slide-on clip to improve the installation process.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved towel and blanket anchoring device that is simple in design and construction, and easy to use with any type of towel or blanket without requiring a user to modify the existing shape and structure thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side planer view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the towel and blanket anchoring device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for securing a towel or a blanket onto the ground in an open position. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the present invention. The towel and blanket anchoring device 21 of the present invention comprises a top portion 22 having an upper surface that is coextensive with a lower 24 surface, defining a perimeter. The top portion 22 may be composed of wood, plastic, metal, or other suitable material. Each of the upper 23 and lower surface 24 comprises a plane that is substantially flat. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface 23 further includes a design that may be directly printed thereon or attached thereto. Additionally, the top portion 22 is shaped to resemble a fish. In other embodiments, the upper surface 23 may include decorative three-dimensional objects thereon, which may be secured onto the upper surface 23 via strong adhesives or the like. Furthermore, the perimeter of the top portion 22 may be shaped to resemble various figures, symbols, or characters.

The lower surface 24 of the anchoring device 21 comprises a visor clip 25 having an open end 26 and a closed end 27. When viewed from the top, however, the top portion 22 obscures the clip to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance while retaining the functionality of the device. The clip 25 is composed of rigid material such as metal or plastic. The clip 25 comprises a first side 31 that is substantially straight and a second side 32 that is slightly curved so that the gap between the first 31 and second side 32 near the closed end 27 is wider than the gap near the open end 26. The first side 31 of the clip 25 is attached to the lower surface 24 via adhesive or fasteners such as screws. When the clip 25 is mounted, a portion of a towel or a blanket can be inserted into the clip 25 through the open end 26 such that the towel or blanket is situated between the first side 31 and the second side 32 of the clip 25.

The lower surface 24 further comprises a stake 28 having a length. In an exemplary embodiment, the stake 28 may be a substantially circular shaft of a diameter that is generally uniform over its length. The stake 28 may comprise rigid material such as plastic, metal, wood, or the like. The stake 28 includes a top end 29 and a lower end 30. The top end 29 may be attached to the lower surface 24 of the top portion 22 via adhesive, or via screw or press-fit means. Alternatively, the stake 28 may be integrally formed with the top portion 22. The lower end 30 of the stake 28 is tapered or pointed so as to allow a user to insert the device 21 into the ground or other penetrable surfaces, such as sand. In an alternate embodiment, the entire length of the stake 28 may be tapered so that the diameter gradually decreases from the top end 29 to the lower end 30. In this way, the lower end 30 may be easily inserted into a penetrable surface such as sand, and the device 21 may be positioned in a substantially upright position or at a slight angle relative to the surface in which it is inserted.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side planar view of the present invention. In operation, the stake 28 is inserted into the ground so that the stake 28 is substantially upright or at a slight angle relative to the ground. Thereafter, a periphery of a towel or a blanket is inserted through the gap between the first 31 and second 32 sides of the visor clip 25 via the opening 26 and toward the closed end 27. When the periphery of the towel or the blanket is inserted through the gap and secured therein, the user presses down on the top surface 23 of the top portion 22 so that the lower end 30 of the stake 28 pierces the surface of the ground and the stake 28 is driven further into the ground. In this way, the top end 29, the lower surface 24, and the second side 32 of the clip 25 are positioned near the ground.

One or more anchoring devices 21 may be used so that the device 21 is disposed on other parts of the towel or the blanket along its perimeter. For instance, the anchoring device 21 of the present invention may be secured on corners of the towel or the blanket. In this way, the towel or the blanket is secured close to the ground in an open position, thereby prevented from shifting or bunching during use.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of another embodiment of the towel and blanket anchoring device 33 of the present invention. The towel and blanket anchoring device 33 includes an elongated stake 34 that is composed of rigid material such as plastic. The elongated stake 34 includes a first section 35 that is perpendicular to the second section 36, creating a corner on opposite sides of the second section 36. In this way, the elongated stake 34 has a generally T-shape when viewed from the top. The first section 35 is adjacent to a clip that is mounted on the lower surface of the top portion. The first 35 and the second section 36 are unitary in structure and tapers to a point at the lower end 37. Similar to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower end 37 may be inserted into a penetrable surface such as sand so that the anchoring device 33 may be positioned in a substantially upright position.

In some embodiments, the stake 34 may be removably attached to the lower surface of the top portion via press fit or fasteners. Alternatively, the lower surface of the top portion may include an aperture with threaded elements therein. Similarly, the top end of the stake may include threaded elements so as to screw onto the threaded elements disposed on the aperture of the lower surface. Such embodiment of the present invention may be used as a clip so that it may be suitable to secure a towel or blanket on a beach chair or the like.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A towel and blanket anchoring device, comprising: a top portion having an upper surface that is coextensive with a lower surface, defining a perimeter; wherein each of said upper surface and said lower surface is substantially flat; an elongated stake having a top end and a lower end; said stake forming a vertical axis; said top end of said stake attached to said lower surface of said top portion; a clip attached to said lower surface of said top portion.
 2. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said clip is a visor clip.
 3. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said top portion further comprises a printed design.
 4. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said stake is integrally formed with said top portion.
 5. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said perimeter of said top portion forms a shape of a fish.
 6. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said stake is removably attached to said lower surface of said top portion.
 7. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said stake comprises a cylindrical shaft of a diameter that is generally uniform over a length of said stake.
 8. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said stake having a pointed tip adapted to be inserted into a surface.
 9. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said clip comprises a closed end opposite an open end, and a flat side opposite a curved side; said flat side of said clip attached to said lower surface of said top portion; said closed end of said clip adjacent to said stake.
 10. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said top portion is perpendicular to said stake.
 11. The towel and blanket anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said stake comprises a first section that is perpendicular to a second section, forming a T-shape; said lower end of said stake having a pointed tip adapted to be inserted into a surface. 